Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) preserved the Jones Forest, a 20-acre forestland within a larger 77-acre property in New Palestine, IN. The Jones Forest includes a stand of mature, old-growth oak-hickory forest, as well as a younger stand of maple, walnut, hackberry, and sycamore.

The Jones Forest is zoned single-family residential and is bordered by suburban development to the south and west. CILTI plans to open a public trail through the forest, expanding nature-based recreation opportunities in an area that has limited existing public recreation access. Preserving the forest also protects riparian forestland along Breier Creek, mitigating erosion, reducing flood risk, and improving the water quality flowing into Sugar Creek – an important habitat for wildlife such as river waters and freshwater mussels. By providing both human health and wildlife benefits, the project unites CILTI’s goals of mitigating climate change, protecting nature, and engaging the community.

Total Credits Issued: 1,882

• 2024: 1,882 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 0

Total Credits Retired: 0

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 1,882

Co-Benefits

Forest preservation projects not only reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but provide ecosystem services or co-benefits that can be quantified. The co-benefits from this project represent a savings (avoided costs) of $7,751 per year, and $310,030 over 40 years.

• Rain interception (stormwater management) – 4,429 m3/year, $7,254 per year
• Air quality – 0.14 tons/year, $55 per year
• Energy – cooling (electricity) – 5,310 kWh/year, $361 per year
• Energy – heating (natural gas) – 8,341 kBtu/year, $81 per year

Social Impacts

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action and global partnership among all countries, representing key benchmarks for creating a better world and environment for everyone. Well-designed and managed urban forests make significant contributions to the environmental sustainability, economic viability and livability of cities.

The main SDGs for this project are described below, with more detailed information in the Project Design Document.

The Jones Open Space Forest is situated in a highly developed area, and preservation of the trees will reduce pollutants, provide shade to cool temperatures, reduce runoff, and provide valuable wildlife habitat.

This project will enhance the health and wellbeing of the surrounding communities. It will also reduce noise pollution and flooding.

This project will restore and maintain a healthy forest for years to come. Future plans for the area at large include planting neighboring fields to create an even more resilient ecosystem.